Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Carmel)
[[![]() Microsoft Surface Pro (4-8) from Action Retro YouTube channel | |
Manufacturer | Microsoft |
---|---|
Name | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 |
Codename | Carmel |
Model | Surface Pro 6 |
Released | 2018 |
Type | convertible |
Hardware | |
Chipset | Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake |
CPU | Intel Core i5-8250U / i7-8650U Quad-Core @ 1.60 GHz (up to 3.40 GHz Turbo) |
GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
Display | 12.3" PixelSense 2736x1824 touchscreen |
Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB SSD |
Memory | 8 GB / 16 GB LPDDR3 |
Architecture | x86_64 |
Software | |
Original software | Windows 10 |
Original version | 10 |
postmarketOS | |
Category | Works with some tweaks |
postmarketOS kernel | LTSC (Generic x86_64) |
Flashing |
Works |
---|---|
USB Networking |
Works |
Internal storage |
No data |
SD card |
No data |
Battery |
Works |
Screen |
Works |
Touchscreen |
Works |
Keyboard |
Works |
Touchpad |
Works |
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Works |
Audio |
Works |
Camera |
No data |
Camera Flash |
No data |
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Works |
Bluetooth |
Partial |
Ethernet |
No data |
GPS |
No data |
NFC |
No data |
Modem | |
Calls |
No data |
SMS |
No data |
Mobile data |
No data |
Miscellaneous | |
FDE |
No data |
USB-A |
Works |
SATA/eSATA |
No data |
USB OTG |
Works |
HDMI/DP |
No data |
Sensors | |
Accelerometer |
No data |
Magnetometer |
No data |
Ambient Light |
No data |
Proximity |
No data |
Hall Effect |
No data |
Haptics |
No data |
Barometer |
No data |
Some device info
The Surface Pro 6 is a Windows-based tablet/laptop hybrid with adequate hardware, a touchscreen, and pen support. PostmarketOS, a Linux distribution for mobile devices, has been installed on the Surface Pro 6, replacing Windows with a Linux OS designed for mobile devices. The user experience with this combination may be inconsistent, with certain hardware components functioning well while others do not. The Surface Pro 6's hardware compatibility is a crucial factor, as it contains specific components such as the touchscreen, pen, cameras, fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more. Linux generally exhibits poorer battery life compared to Windows on laptops due to challenges in power management. While PostmarketOS might be more optimized, if the Surface's hardware is not fully supported, features like suspend/resume might not function optimally, potentially leading to reduced battery life. The app availability is constrained due to PostmarketOS's utilization of Alpine's package manager, which might not be optimally designed for touchscreens. The user experience encompasses aspects such as the intuitive interface designed for tablet use, multitasking gestures, and window management that is well-suited for touchscreens. Potential showstoppers, including unsupported hardware components like Wi-Fi or touch input, could render the device unusable as a tablet. Ensuring a satisfactory experience necessitates troubleshooting and system tweaking. Utilizing a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 with PostmarketOS as a tablet offers a distinctive yet unconventional experience, integrating mobile-oriented Linux with x86 hardware. However, hardware support gaps and limitations in applications hinder tablet-centric functionality.This project holds appeal for enthusiasts willing to engage in troubleshooting and debugging, but it may not match the refinement and stability of Windows or Android tablets.
Users owning this device
How to enter flash mode
Power down the Surface device. Subsequently, the USB stick should be inserted into the appropriate port. While holding the volume-down button, the power button should be pressed.
Installation
Installation the same as Generic x86_64 UEFI
How to disable touchscreen
check/update all packages
sudo pkg update && sudo pkg upgrade
download evtest via pkg
sudo pkg add evtest
run evtest
sudo evtest
Find the touchscreen.
Here you will see the number of your touchscreen, for example my number is 8, so this is /dev/input/event8, and when you find your touchscreen, press CTRL+C.
Disable our touchscreen (temporarily, you can't turn off the terminal, also there is no solution how to do it permanently):
sudo evtest --grab /dev/input/event8
Press CTRL+C to stop.
Key Considerations
- Image Requirements: Use GPT-partitioned FAT32 USB
- Community Status: Marked as "testing" due to partial hardware support
- Cross-Device References: Similar installation process to Microsoft Surface Pro 4